Pets! - Alamosa,CO

Both of those breeds can be high maintenance . . . I might consider paying a teen or older person to walk them/interact with them every day.

I understand completely. I'm in a similiar situation and the sad thing is I did it to myself. In 2008 I found this Cocker Spaniel on Craigslist and I decided to get her for my husband and daughter. He loves animals and he used to have a cocker years ago that he adored. I was hesitant about doing it but I did for them. I've been fighting this for sometime that I am just not a dog person. Well after having her since then, that fact is sadly true. She stresses me out to the max. She is a good dog however does go through spells of not listening at all, going potty in the house but that's not really all that bothers me. She is such a needy dog that she has to be up your *** all the time. I have nicknamed her leach b/c that's what she is. I too work at home so I'm stuck with her all day. My house smells like dog and I absolutely can't stand that!! She licks and chews on herself constantly which literally drives me up a wall. If it was up to me, she would be gone. Unfortunately, that is not an option b/c my husband loves her and so does the kids. So I'm stuck. There's no way of getting out of this situation without looking like the bad guy and everyone resenting me. And to think I did this to myself!!!

If it would make it less stressful for you to give away 1 or 2 of the animals, then I say do it. Life is stressful enough and a lot of it can't be controlled, but this you do have control over. If you believe that your dtr's bf will take good care of the older dog, then let him have it. You could always tell him if he finds that it doesn't work out to let you know. Knowing that he'll go to a good home will help ease the pain. This is what I would do but I don't have that option. It's not fair to the dog to be in a situation filled with stress.

I work from home, and have 2 dogs also. The only way I stop the constant barking issue is I keep them in the room I'm working in while I'm working. It is a decent sized room, there is a window here but it is not accessible to the dogs. Our living room window has a couch in front of it, the dogs use that as their personal step ladder and sit on the window sill barking at everyone and everything they think is suspicious all day long. (Mailman, UPS truck, school buses, squirrels, other dogs, anyone getting in or out of their cars up the block, anyone who has the nerve to walk by our house...you get the idea).
Good luck with the pets!

Thanks for posting this. I can so relate. I used to dote on our springer spaniel and 2 cats, but now that I have a 2 1/2 year old, the pets drive me up a wall. It's like having more beings to take care of all the damn time. I would totally be happy with only 1 animal, or even none at all.

I have always been a dog person so I would not dream of getting rid of them. However during the day while I am at work they go outside. They have dog beds and blankets in my garage with access to the back yard and fresh water.

Give yourself a break and put them outside during the day!

I too work from home and have two dogs and it can be can annoying with barking and such. For the one dog that wants to potty in the bedroom a crate that the jack russell terrier can turn around might be just the ticket you need when you can't keep your beady eye on it all the time. When the barking gets to be just a bit over the top I put both of dogs in my room with water and that solves the problem toot sweet. Having the crate would allow you to do that and have peace of mind as well. For me sometimes keeping the shades down keeps the barking down as they don't see everything that is happening outside and allows for peace and quiet. I hope that helps. I would like to say to some of the other responders training is the key to happiness. The crate is not only your best friend but your dog's as well. The crate can be there escape place when life gets a bit stressful for them. It is so helpful for potty training and other issues that I can not imagine my life with out one. To hear people say that they are cruel is ridiculous, to allow a dog to have run of the house and do what he pleases and than complain about or worse yet dump it off at a shelter is totally irresponsible. I am not saying that you are I am just making a statement.

It sounds like they need exercise every day. Major exercise. We have huskies and they need to run. I will actually hook one up to my bike to really make her run. Or we got to trails and they can be off leash. Or either my husband or I takes them out when we go running. If they get their exercise they are very good dogs. I'm not sure to tell you what to do about the barking...I'm sure they feed off each other on that. Our dogs do not bark so I am not sure how to advise you.

Is a pet door an option? It worked wonders for us. We have 2 chihuahuas, a shih tzu and a cat. We even moved the cat box to the garage and she uses the pet door now. Just a thought, I know the barking wears on your nerves, our dogs react the same way when someone is out front, but with the dog door they run outside and to the side of the house to check it out instead of staying in the house.

Do you take them for walks or interact with them at all throughout the day? They are like children in that respect. They don't know you are working. All they know is you are home and they want attention. Take a time out from work if you can and play with them for 10 minutes or take them for a short walk. That might settle them down for a bit. If you have a fenced yard, consider getting a dog door. Then they can come and go as they please and you won't be interrupted with having to let them out all the time. Barking...if you want your dogs to stop barking at or about certain things then you are going to have to train them or go the evil route of surgical debarking. Good luck.

UGH! I know how obnixious Jack Russels are-My neighbors have 3 and we hear them in the middle of the night! Maybe keep them outside all day? My dogs stay outside most of the day. Get them dog houses and some nice blankets to keep warm with and take them for a walk when you are on your lunch or hire someone to take them out for exercise for an hour or so a day. Jack Russels bark for no reason but maybe they do it so much because they are bored?

Jack Russells are very active dogs that need a ton of exercise and if they don't have it, they can act out their energy in negative ways. Is it possible that you could use doggie day care to help provide them with some socialization and exercise? Or hire a dog walker to take them on a long, tiring walk during the day? Or use a dog trainer to work with him, even get him agility trained so he has a job to focus on? This can help with their behavior problems. I agree with the poster that said to try crate training the little one to help with the potty situation but with pent up energy he would probably drive you nuts barking from the crate so I'd address the excess energy issues first. I believe pets are a commitment and would encourage you to work on behavior issues with exercise and training, but if that doesn't work, responsibly rehoming them to a better situation is better than keeping dogs that aren't wanted. But really, evaluate a rehoming opportunity carefully. If your daughter's boyfriend is gone all day and out a lot of nights and isn't going to be able to provide what the dog needs, that's not responsible rehoming and a dog that is passed around from one home to the next just develops more behavior issues and becomes more unadoptable. If your daughter's boyfriend runs every morning and wants to take the dog with him on runs, and wants to provide training than maybe it's a good opportunity. Evaluate it from the dog's perspective - will the dog's needs be better met?